Fabric forming mechanism for a multipleating machine



April 15, 1958 c. J. DAVIES ET AL 2,830,401

FABRIC FORMING MECHANISM FOR A MULTIPLEATING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS CLARENCE J. DAVIES BERNARD M. ZUHN ATTORNEYS April 15, 1958 c. J. DAVIES ET AL 2,830,401

FABRIC FORMING MECHANISM FOR A MULTIPLEATING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 CLARENCE J.DAV|ES By BERNARD M.ZUHN

Q? 7 if ATTORNEYS IN V EN TORS April 8 v c. J. DAVIES ETAL 2,830,401

FABRIC FORMING MECHANISM FOR A MULTIPLEATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1956 (D Q Q FlG.3.

INVENTORS CLARENCE J. DAVIES By BERNARD M. ZUHN April 15, 1958 c. J. DAVIES ET AL 2,830,401

FABRIC FORMING MECHANISM FOR A MULTIPLEATING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TORS CLARENCE J. DAVIES By BERNARD M. ZUH N Wm, ATTORNEYS Unite FABRIC FORMING MECHANISM FOR A MULTI PLEATING MACHINE Application March 26, 1956, Serial No. 573,805

12 Claims. (Cl. 45138) The present invention relates to fabric forming mechanism for a multipleating machine.

- The fabric forming mechanism is intended for use with a multipleating machine for simultaneously sewing a multiplicity of seams in upholstery. The invention is applicable to a multipleating machine of the type disclosed inMitchell Patent 1,918,284.

In this prior patent, sheets of precut cover fabric are advanced into the machine over-ridge bars and elongated forming members are moved downwardly as they advance insynchronism with the cover fabrics to press the cover fabric material around the ridge bars. In order that this may be accomplished properly, it is essential for the forming members to move downwardly in an orderly progress'ion from'the center of the cover fabric toward opposite edges thereof.

In the prior patent this was accomplished in a simple manner by arranging the forming members in vertical echelon so that the central forming members contacted first and thereafter, upon downward movement of the supportfor the forming members, progressively outwardly positioned forming members came into action.

At the present time it is no longer possible to use this mechanism in all cases. In the first place, the present practice is to provide a larger number of pleats in the upholstery withthe result that a larger number of forming members are required. Since the vertical displacement between adjacent consecutively acting forming membersjis substantially fixed, this increase in the number of pleats would call for a corresponding increased length of stroke for the support.

At. the same time, present requirements for pleated cushions involves relatively narrow cushions as measured in a direction parallel to the pleats. Accordingly, this reduction in width means that less time is available to complete the forming of the required pleat fullness.

' It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of producing the required pleatfullness in cushions having a substantially increased number of pleats and/or having substantially less width without imposing speed limitation on the operation of the machine as a whole.. v

More specifically, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide mechanism for etlecting the required sequentially timed downward movement'of progressively outwardly spaced pairs of forming bars fromran initial position in which the bars are all located in a plane parallel to and located above the plane of the path of advance'of the sheets of cover fabric.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide mechanism for forming pleat fullness comprisingla multiplicity of pairs of forming members and independent, actuating mechanism for each pair of forming members.

lylo e specifically, it is an object of the present invention toi'p roy ide a plurality of forming members as described jn'the preceding paragraph, in conjunction with fluid op-' P I s-tented Apr. 15; 1958 erated means, preferably pneumatic, for effecting independent movement of pairs of forming members. i

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support slide movable longitudinally of a conveyor in spaced relation thereabove, a plurality of pairs of forming members mounted on said slide for vertical movement relative thereto, independent actuating mechanism for each of said members, and control mechanism operated automatically in response to travel of said slide for efiecting timed actuation of said forming members.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the mechanism.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the power cylinder associated with each forming member.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5, Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6-6, Figure l.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a conveyor 10 on which precut sheets of cover fabrics F are advanced. Extending longitudinally of the conveyor 10 are a multiplicity of stationary ridge bars 12 adjacent ones of which are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the transverse spacing between the sewed seams which are to be provided in the completed stuffed pleated upholstery.

in use the cover fabric is formed to provide the required pleat fullness, padding material is introduced as the sheets of cover fabric advance to occupy positions between adjacent sewed seams, a backing fabric is fed into place as the assembly advances, and seams are sewed through nested portions of the cover fabric and backing fabric transversely of the cushion at the back thereof. The present invention is concerned with the apparatus for providing the necessary pleat fullness.

Stationary support structure indicated generally at 14 is provided above the conveyor on which the sheets of cover fabric are advanced. This structure includes vertical members 16 at one end and at the opposite end the structure is suspended from an overhead stationary part of the support frame (not shown) by suspension means indicated at 18. Extending parallel to the path of advance of the conveyor are supporting guide bars 29. A carriage 21 is mounted for reciprocation longitudinally of the guide bars 20. The carriage comprises end support members 22 having lower portions provided with recesses 24 adapted to slidably receive the guide bars 20 which are retained inthe recesses by removable cover plates 26. The end support members 22 include tubular portions 28 adapted to receive vertically extending rods 30 which are retained in fixed position by suitable means such for example as pins 32. Cross heads 34 are attached to the lower ends of the rods 30. Opposite ends of the cross heads 34 are interconnected by rods 36 and 38 to produce a firm rigid supporting structure. Extending between rods 36 and 38 are a plurality of struts 40 on each of which is supported a piston and cylinder device indicated generally at 42. The piston and cylinder device is connected to an extension 44 which is coupled to a bar 46 which carries the longitudinally.

extending forming member or paddle 48. In practice, as best seen in Figure 1, each of the extensions 44 is connected to a pair of paddles 48.

Adjacent the endof each of the bars 46 there are pro;

vided upwardly extending guide rods 50 slidably received in'tubularbushings'52. The upper ends of the rods 50 i are provided with abutment nuts 54 and compression springs 56 are provided intermediate the nuts 54 and the bushings 52 urging the rods 50 upwardly. The rods 50 and ;the bushings 52 guide the paddles 48 for vertical movement relative to the struts 40 and the compression springs urge the paddles toward their uppermost or idle position.

It will be appreciated that in the idle position all of the paddles 48, which may be of a relatively large number, occupy a horizontal plane disposed in clearance position slightly above the planeof advance of the precut sheets of cover fabric therebeneath. Accordingly, each ,of the paddles or forming members is required to move the same short distance into operative engagement with the cover fabric to form in about the ridge bars 12.

The carriage 21 which includes the slidable supporting end members 22, is reciprocated back and forth parallel to the plane of advance of the cover fabrics. The means for effecting the controlled reciprocation of the carriage comprises racks 60 connected to the slides 22 and in mesh with driving pinions 62 secured to a drive shaft 64 adapted to be driven in forward and reverse rotation by suitable means such for example as shown in the Mitchell patent. Extending between the slides 22 is a rotary shaft 66 the center portion 68 of which is tubular as indicated in Figure 2. Journaled on end. portions of the shaft 66 adjacent the slides 22 are pinions 70. The pinions 70 are in mesh with longitudinally extending rack sections 72 so that as the carriage or slide is reciprocated on the guide bars 20, the pinions 70 are rotated. The pinions 70 constitute half of one-way clutch connections, the other half being constituted by members 74 keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 66 and each having a spring pressed driving pin 76 carried thereby, the pin being urged outwardly toward the pinion 70 by an arcuate leaf spring 78.

At the inner sides of the pinion 70 there are provided a pair of recesses 80 adapted to receive the outer end of the driving pin 76. The recesses 80 include a shoulder at one end engageable by the pin to effect a driving connection between the pin and recess. The other side of the recess 80 is gradually inclined to constitute a cam effective upon reverse rotation of the pinion 70 to cam the pin 76 out of the recess 80. The arrangement is such that during forward travel of the carriage 21 in the direction of travel of the cover fabrics F, rotation is imparted to the shaft 66. During reverse travel of the carriage 21 the pins are cammed out of the recesses and the shaft 66 remains stationary. Friction may retain the shaft 66 against rotation but if desired, suitable ratchet mechanism may be provided to insure that the shaft 66 rotates only during forward movement of the carriage 21.

The means for driving the pinion 62 is effective to move the carriage 21 in its forward stroke at the same speed as the speed of advance of the conveyor so that the paddles 48, when moved downwardly into contact with the surface of the fabric F may form it over the ridge bars 12 without relative sliding movement between the paddles 48 and the fabric F.

In addition, rotation of the driving pinion 62 is provided in such amount that during each forward stroke of the carriage 21, the shaft 66 has a rotation of 180 degrees imparted thereto. The pinion 70 may have slightly more than 180 degrees rotation imparted to it so that at the initiation of each forward stroke of the carriage 21, there may be a short idle stroke before initiation of rotation of the shaft 66. However, the provision of the two recesses 80, 180 degrees apart insures that at each complete reciprocation of the carriage, the shaft 66 will rotate exactly 180 degrees, and that this rotation will take place during the forward stroke of the carriage.

The piston and cylinder devices 42 are arranged in pairs as best seen in Figure 1. In this figure the center pair of piston and cylinder devices are designated 42a,

\ the pair constituted by the next outwardly located piston received in a cylinder 126 in the control valve;

opening 123 in the piston is in communication with passand cylinder devices being designated 42b, and successively outwardly placed piston and cylinder devices being designated respectively 42c, 42d, and 42e. Each pair of piston and cylinder devices has a control valve associated therewith, the control valve associated with the piston .and cylinder devices 42a being designated 86a, control valves 86b, 86c, 86d and 86a respectively con trolling the pairs of piston and cylinder devices designated 42b, 42c, 42d and 42e.

Associated with each of the control valves 86a-86e are a pair of timing valves one of which is illustrated in detail at 90 in Figure 6. Fluid, preferably compressed air, is introduced to each of the control valves 86a-86e from conduit 92, the connection being indicated at94 in Figure 2. It will be observed that each of the control valves 86a-86e has a pair of outlet connections which in Figure 5 are designated 96 and 98. Connected to each of the outlets 9 6 and 98 is a T-fitting 100 and extending from the T-fitting 100 are flexible conduits 102, 104,106 and 108. Also extending from the control valve 861: are a pair of flexible conduits and 112. i

The control valve 862 has a slidable cup-shaped element 114 movable across outlet ports 116 and 118 which are located at opposite sides of an inlet port 120. The valve 114 has an upwardly extending stem 122 received in an enlarged opening 123 in a valve shifting piston 124 The ages 128 extending to opposite ends of the piston, the opposite ends of the cylinders being connected by conduits 110 and 112 to timing valve means as will subsequently be described.

- For the moment however, it is sufficient to observe be closed, pressure builds up to equal'values at opposite sides of the piston 124 and there is no tendency for it to shift toieither end of the cylinder. If now, one of the timing valves is momentarily opened, such for example as thetiming valve connected to the conduit 110, fluid at the left hand end of the cylinder 126 escapes and the piston 124 shifts abruptly to the left, moving the valve 114 in -a.p0sit ion in which it affords direct communication between the ports and 116 and thus admits fluid under line pressure to conduits 102 and 104. At this time the valve 114 is caused to uncover, port 118 and accordingly, fluid may escape through conduits 106 and 108i and thence through passage 123 and conduit 110 past the open timing valve at the end of conduit 110. Under'these conditions, when the previously opened timing valve in communication with the passage 110 closes, equalized pressure is again permitted to build up in opposite ends of the cylinder 126, a compression spring 132 associated with the valve 114 being yieldable to insure that operating pressure is at all times available in the cylinder 126. In like manner, subsequent opening of the timing valve controlling conduit 112 will result in instantaneous shifting of the piston 124 to the right which results in connecting the inlet port 120 of the valve to theioutlet port 118 and thence to conduits 1 06 and 108.

Referring now to Figure 6 one of the timing valves 90 is illustrated in detail, which may for example be the timing valve in association with conduit 112. It will be observed that the timing valve comprises a cylindrical guide portion having escape openings 142 and shaped to provide an internal shoulder 144. Located inwardly of the valve is an O-ring 146 and slidable longitudinally of the valve is the valve element 150 having a valving portion 152 engageable by a compression spring 154 and a guide portion 156 slidable in the guide portion 140. In this figure the central tubular portion 68 of the shaft 66 is illustrated-and shown in operating position thereon is a collar 160 having a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed valve actuating projections 162. The projections 162.are alternately. engageable with the projected end of the portion 156 of the valve element and are operable during rotation to open the valve. In the case of the timing valve actuating projections operable to shift the control valve to the position in which it supplies air to the undersideof the piston and cylinder devices 42, this valve actuation takes place at or near the end of the forward stroke of the carriage 21. In the case of the actuation of the timing valves which control shiftingof the control valves to the position in which they supply air to the tops of the piston and cylinder devices 42, thecollars are individually adjusted to effect the required sequence of operation of progressively outward pairs of paddles 48.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 one of the piston and cylinder devices is illustrated and comprises a cylinder 170 having an upper head 172 and a lower head 174. The upper head is threaded for connection to a conduit 176 extending from a flow control valve 178. A flexible conduit which may for example be the conduit 102 of Figure 5, is connected to the upper end of the flow control valve 178. The bottom head 174 or base of the piston and cylinder device'is tapped to receive an elbow 180 which is coupled by a conduit 182 to a second flow control valve 184. the upper end of which is connected to asuitable fiowable conduit such for example as the conduit 106 in Figure 5.- Y Slidably received within the cylinder 170 is the piston 186 connected to the piston rod 188 which extends downwardly and is connected to the extension '44 previously described.

1 The flow control valves 178 and 184 comprise adjustable needle valves 190 and include spring pressed ball valves 192 adapted to permit reverse bypass flow around the needle valve 190.

From the foregoing description the overall operation of the mechanism is believed apparent but will be reviewed briefly at this point for clarity. Individual precut sheets of cover fabricfare advanced longitudinally on'the ma chine beneath the array .of paddles by the conveyor 10. These cover fabrics arecarried over ridge bars 12. As they'are advanced'over the ridge bars, the paddles 48 are moved downwardly in proper sequence to form the fabric over the ridge bars so as to provide ple'at fullness. In Figure 1' the two central paddles are illustrated in dotted lines in downward position. It will be appreciated that the two paddles. actuated by ,piston and cylinder devices 42b will next be brought down and thereafter those actuated by piston and cylinder .devices 42c, 42d and 42a in sequence. This has the effect ofmoving the edges of the fabric inwardly progressively and avoids interference between the formation of the required pleat fullness between the several ridge bars.

- Asthecarriage 21, which, carries the paddles, moves forwardly atthe samespeed as the fabric F, rotation is imparted to theshaft 66 which in turn rotates the collars l 6tlfcarrying'the valve actuating projections 162 and these actuate timingivalves 90, in the required sequence to in turn actuatethe control valves 86a-86e in the proper sequence to effect downward movement of pairs of paddles progressively from the center of array of paddles outwardly and then to return all paddles upwardly before termination of the forward stroke of the carriage. During return stroke of thecarriage while the conveyor continues to advancethe precut sheets of fabric, the shaft 60 remains at rest and is again rotated 90 degrees during the suc ceeding forward advance of the carriage 21.

V 6 Since none of the paddles '"are'requiredto m'ove a"ditance'greaterf than the minimum clearance distance; as best illustrated'in Figure 1, no time is lost and no excessive speed in movement of the forming members or paddles is required: This permits smooth co'nse'cutive movement" of a relatively large number of paddles into operating'position in a minimum of time and thus permits the, provision of: pleat fullness in thefabricto be accomplished without imposing'any speed limitation on the operation of the complete machine. Y i The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a descriptoin of the improved fabric forming mechanism for a multipleating machine insuch full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in th'e art to practice the invention, the scope of which'is indicated by the appended claims. r -What we claim-as'our invention is:: v 1 a l. In fabric forming mechanism comprising 'a-"frame, a conveyor on said frame for advancing a series of separate precut sheets of cover fabric, a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced ridge bars over which said sheetsare advanced, and-paddle mechanism for providing pleatfullness in said sheets carried by said frame and reciprocable forwardly above each sheet on said conveyor at aspeed synchronous therewith and then rearwardly to initial position, said paddle mechanism comprising a support slide, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement with respect thereto, said paddles beingparallel to said bars and in retracted position occupying a sub-. stantially horizontal idle plane. spaced above said ridge bars, independent power means for moving pairs-of said paddles downwardly in fabric forming strokes during forward movement of'said slide, and control means for actuating said power means to move'said paddles dowm wardly in a sequence of pairs, the first pair of paddles being the central pair thereof, each successively movable pair being located progressively outwardly from the preceding pair, said control means being operable to actuate all of said power means during the latter part of the forward stroke of said'slide to raise all of said paddles to said idle plane.

2. In fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame for advancing. a series of separate precut sheets of cover fabric, a plurality of parallel, laterally spacedridge bars over which said sheets are advanced, and paddle mechanism for providing pleat full-' ness in said sheets carried by said frame and reciprocable forwardly above each sheet on said conveyor at a speed synchronous therewith and then rearwardly to initial position, said paddle mechanism comprising a support slide, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement with respect thereto, said paddles being parallel to said bars and in retracted position occupying a substantially horizontal idle plane spaced above said ridge bars, independent pneumatic power means for moving pairs of said paddles downwardly in fabric forming strokes during forward movement of said slide, and con trol valvemeans for actuating said power means to move said paddles downwardly in a sequence of pairs, the first pair of paddles being the central pair thereof, each s'uccessively movable pair being located progressively outwardly from the preceding pair. V 3. In fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame for advancing a series of separate precut sheets of cover fabric, a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced ridge bars over which said sheets are advanced, and paddle mechanism for providing pleat fullness in said sheets carried by said frame and reciprocable forwardly above each sheet on said conveyor at a speed synchronous therewith and then rearwardly to initial position, said paddle mechanism comprising a support slide, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement with respect thereto, said paddles being parallel to said bars and in retracted position occupying a substantially horizontal idle plane spaced above said ridge bars, independent pneumatic power--means -for moving pairs of Zsaid paddles downwardly in fabric forming :strokes *during forward movement of said slide, and control valve means for actuating said power means to move :said paddles downwardly in a sequence of pairs, 'the first pair of paddles being the central pair thereof, each successivelyinovable pair being located progressively outwardly from the preceding pair, said control valve means 1 being operable to actuate all of said power means during the latter part of the forward stroke ofsaid slide to raise all of said paddles to said idle plane.

.4. In fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame foradvancing a series of separateprecutsheets. of cover fabric, a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced ridge bars over which said sheets are advanced, and paddle mechanism for providingpleat fullness in said sheetscarried by said frame and reciproca'ble forwardly above'each sheet on saidconveyor at a speed synchronous therewith and'then rearwardly to initial .position,said paddle mechanism comprising a support, slide, a plurality ofpaddles carried by said slide for :verticalmovement with respect'thereto, said paddles being parallel to said bars and in retracted position occupying asubstantially horizontalidle plane spaced above said ridge bars, independent 'piston and cylinder devices connected betweeen each of said paddles and said slide, an air supply valve connected to'each of the cylinders of said devices, all of said valves beingdisposed in'alignment, a movable valve actuator having actuating elements operable to actuate-said valves in a predetermined sequence.

5. In fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame for advancing a series of separate precut sheets of cover fabric,-a-plurality of parallel, laterally spaced ridge bars over which said sheets are advanced, and paddle mechanism for providing pleat fullness in said sheets carried by said frame and reciprocable forwardly above each sheet on said conveyor at a speed synchronous therewith and then rearwardly to initial position, said paddle mechanism comprising a support slide, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement with respect thereto, said padles being parallel to said bars and in retracted position occupying a substantially horizontal idle plane spaced above said ridge bars, independent piston and cylinder devices connected between each of said paddles and said slide, an air supply valve connected to each of the cylinders of said devices, allof saidvalves being disposed on said slide in transverse alignment, .a shaft on said slideQone-waydrive means between said shaft and said frame operable to rotate said shaft only during forward movement of said slide, and valve actuatingelements on said shaft to operate said valves in a predetermined sequence,

6. Fabric forming mechanism comprising :a frame, a conveyor on said frame'having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and'reverse strokes, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which said paddles are in horizontal alignment directly above said conveyor, separate power means for raising and lowering each of said paddles, control means for said power means comprising a movable member,,and means operated by said slide for driving said member in timed relation to movement of said slide. a

7. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which said paddles are in horizontal alignment directly abovesaid conveyonseparate power'means for raising and lowering each of said paddles, control means for said power means comprising a rotatable member, and means operated by said slide for driving said member in timed relation to movement of said slide. 7

8. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, a plurality of'paddles carried bysaid slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which-said paddles are in horizontal alignment directly above said conveyor, separate pneumatic power means for raising and lowering each of said paddles, control valve means for said powermeans comprising a movable member, and means operated by said slide for driving said member in timed relation to movement of said slide.

9. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality-of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor," means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which said paddles are in horizontal alignment directly above said conveyor, said paddles being arranged in pairs in which both members of successive pairs are located progressively further from the center of said plurality of paddles, separate fluid motor devices connecting each of said paddles to said slide for effectingvertical movement thereof, a two-position control valve connected to each pair of said devices to operate it in either direction, a pair of timing valves connected to each control valve, and meansoperated in timed relation to movement of said slide forwardly with said conveyor to actuate said timing valves in sequence.

10. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means ,for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor forImovement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, ;a plurality trol valve connected to each pair of said devices toopcrate it in either direction, a pair of timing valves 'connected to each control valve, said timing valves being mounted on said slide in transverse alignmentthereoma transverseshaft carried by-said slide, meansfor rotating said shaft in timed relation to reciprocation-ofsaid slide, and timing valve actuators on said shaft.

11. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancingsaid conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which said paddles are in horizontal alignment'directly above said conveyor, said paddles being arranged in pairs in which both members of successive pairs are located progressively further from the center of said plurality of paddles, separate fluid motor devices connecting each of said paddles to said slide for effecting vertical movement thereof, a two-position control valve connectedto each pair of said devices to operate it in either direction, a pair of timing valves connected to each control valve, said timing valves being mounted on said slide in transverse alignment thereon, a transverse shaft carried by said slide, rack and pinion means for rotating said shaft in timed relation to reciprocation of said slide, and timing valve actuators on said shaft.

12. Fabric forming mechanism comprising a frame, a conveyor on said frame having a plurality of parallel laterally spaced ridge bars, means for advancing said conveyor, a slide mounted on said frame over said conveyor for movement parallel to said conveyor, means for driving said slide in forward and reverse strokes, a plurality of paddles carried by said slide for vertical movement thereon from an idle position in which said paddles are in horizontal alignment directly above said conveyor, said paddles being arranged in pairs in which both members of successive pairs are located progressively further from the center of said plurality of paddles, separate fluid motor devices connecting each of said paddles to said slide for effecting vertical movement thereof, a two-position control valve connected to each pair of said devices to operate it in either direction, a pair of timing valves connected to each control valve, said timing valves being mounted on said slide in transverse alignment thereon, a transverse shaft carried by said slide, a rack on said frame, a pinion on said slide in mesh with said rack, a one-way clutch connecting said pinion to said shaft, and timing valve actuators on said shaft. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,918,284 Mitchell July 18, 1933 2,669,275 Fenton Feb. 16, 1954 2,722,242 Talbot Nov. 1, 1955 

